Michael N.

Excellent experience... the food was amazing, the ambience is pretty good and the drinks were ! The service could have been better at the beginning but my waitress was cool. I will definitely be back soon!

Steve P.

This is a hidden gem! I totally enjoyed the vibes on Sunday for brunch. The host was professional helped with seating. The bartender was serving up great drinks and the food was delicious. Would definitely go back when in town again

Virginia P.

Food and drinks were very good - compliments to the chef. The server was excellent and ambiance was calming and serene. The restaurant is family friendly. The prices were reasonable. I would recommend this restaurant.

Ally L.

Quality: 9/10 food came out fresh, cooked well, and SO delicious. The Asun was our favorite. Variety: 8/10 there's a lot of choices of meat to vegetarian options and the dishes have a modern take to traditional African food which makes it easy to introduce to those who have never had African food before (me). Atmosphere/Cleanliness: 7/10 clean speakeasy aesthetic in the dining area, but the bathroom had no paper towels and 2/3 stalls had no toilet paper. Service: 7/10 not sure if we just came on a bad day, but the bartender showed up late and there was just one girl breaking a sweat taking orders, making drinks, and servicing tables. Price: $45/person including tax and tip (already included in the bill) They also have a little happy hour menu which is nice if you just want to grab a quick bite or drink at the bar.

My reservation was for 6:00 pm. When I got there several people were waiting to be seated including me and my daughter. It's Mother's Day and Native Harlem is packed with good folks wanting to celebrate mom. My daughter went up to the hostess desk and told her the name on the reservation. The hostess said they are cleaning a table and we'll be seated shortly. 15 minutes later we're still waiting for our table. That's not a good start for me. We were seated at 6:30. I spoke to someone at the front desk about the lie they told. We came in they asked for the name on the reservation. They told us they were cleaning off the table Apparently it took them more than 20 minutes to clean off a table for two guests. Finally, we were seated. Grateful we didn't wait long for a server to come to our table. She introduced herself very politely but professionally too. As we acclimated ourselves to the lighting of the restaurant I looked around to see the decor. I like what I saw. The colors of the restaurant are black, grey and highlights of gold. Also it seemed like there were highlights of a beautiful purple, too. What distinguishes this restaurant from others is definitely the decor: golden African masks were on the walls along with pictures of African motifs. The display of the motifs were generated by a computer so the colors of the masks were distinctly beautiful. It seemed to me like I was in a modern African museum that serves food and drinks. I ordered a glass of Tintana rose and my daughter ordered a Native Punch which is beautiful to look at and is tasty. Tiffany, my daughter let me have a little taste. While we were waiting to order appetizers and our dinner we were entertained by live music. There is a large stage and a saxophonist playing beautifully. He moved around the stage to different tables that are strategically placed around the stage. He serenaded some people at their tables but when he came to my table I missed him playing to us. I was too busy checking out the decor. It is that beautiful and exceptional. The saxophonist played tunes Kenny G style and other songs that made you feel good. He is a good musician with knowledge of different romantic songs and smooth jazz type songs too. It was great. Finally our food arrived, appetizers first then about 10 minutes later dinner was served. I ordered oxtails and Tiff ordered lamb chops. Well, for the next 15 minutes all was quiet at my table because Tiff and I were totally enjoying our meal. The food was delicious. All together we ordered salmon tacos, BBq wings(appetizers), oxtails and lamb chops. And I can we were both completely satisfied with our food and drinks. It was an excellent dining experience. The server, the food, music and decor made our dining experience a wonderful Mother's Day celebration. It was so great I dismissed the less than professional manner of the hostess. Another great idea is a wall located across from the front desk that is beautiful decorated with flowers the color of the restaurant that is use to take pictures. Native Harlem located in the Magic Johnson complex, 2nd floor is a five star restaurant.

David T.

Dope ass vibe!!!! Stumbled in on a Wednesday night & walked into Karaoke night!!! Issa vibe here frfr!! The hostess Alycia was nice, warm & welcoming!!! Beautiful staff in this African establishment in the 125th street area!!! This is definitely a grown & sexy spot! The bartenders Mia & Sedahri Issa vibe!!! I will be back soon!!! Being a Harlem native this is dope for the neighborhood!!! Thanks again for the hospitality Mia!!!! Check her Wednesday nights and tell her King David sent ya!!!! Good vibes up in here!! The food menu looks gd too!! Will definitely come back to try! Ohhhh and they have hookah!!!

Savarra J.

Wings weren't my fave. Jollof with fish was delicious. It just happened to be a comedy show starting when we arrived.

Nia B.

This was my first time at Native. The ambience was nice. They had live entertainment. I gave 2 stars because the food was just ok. I had a pina colada, it wasn't the best. The wings were good, but the pasta was very spicy. The restaurant entrance was difficult to find. You have to go through the movie theatre entrance and upstairs. It was a lot , I ended up following other people, since I figured they wouldn't have on heels to go to the movies. It was cold inside. And the bathrooms were nasty.

My husband and I went on a Wednesday for our wedding anniversary. It was open mic night. The gentleman sang some nice tones. I was grateful to be sitting closer to the front door. The traditional soups were good. My Eguisi was salty so I could not eat it. If you enjoy spicy food this is the place for you.

Joannie B.

The decor and entertainment was on point. Dj was good as well. Fully stocked bar. Ample space to dine and have an event. Street parking a little rough to find. On the second floor of the Magic Johnson Theater. Ample IG worthy pics with with beautiful installations and backdrops. Food was ok. Drinks were ok. Staff was good.

Maronda H.

One of my favorite food places we ate in New York, Harlem. We were looking for a nice enjoyable place to come eat and drink while in Harlem. We stumbled upon this place called "Native Harlem." An African restaurant/lounge located upstairs by the movie theater. We had to wait for a minute while the lady at the front desk was taking a call. We were seated and the heat was heating up in here. We were about to hit the Exit and leave. But a kind young gentleman and the hostess came and escorted us quickly to a cooler side of the restaurant. Our hostess Rose was AMAZING. She laid out the V.I.P treatment for us Chi Town Natives. Her personality, Attentiveness and Conversation was everything. It was Happy Hour Time in the N.Y and we were ready to place our order. I ordered the 8-piece chicken wing, and my brother ordered the Salmon Fish Tacos. Everything was a 10/10. The atmosphere, the food and drinks were the BOMB. The interior decor had a beautiful bold and vibrant feeling that showcased its Africa Heritage. The music playlist was perfect and kept me jamming. I wish I could give this place more stars on my review. Sound out to Rose for the wonderful hospitality and showing us Love on our visit. Wish Native Harlem could bring some of their culture to Chicago. Hint Chicago Native

Shanta H.

If you're looking for the perfect addition to Harlem's vibrant cultural and culinary scene, look no further than Native Harlem. From the moment I walked through the door, I knew this place was something special. Let's start with the ambiance--because WOW. Before I could even process what the hostess was saying (yes, she was doing her job just fine), I was completely swept away by the decor. Native Harlem is an interior design dream--every detail felt intentional and elevated, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable night. Once I snapped out of my decor daze, I realized how incredible the staff was. Warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the experience they're helping create. They weren't just doing their jobs--they were hosting a vibe. Now for the food--listen, it was delicious. I dove into the appetizers so fast I forgot to take pictures (that should tell you everything). Every bite, from the starters to the entrees, hit the mark. The flavors were bold, comforting, and left me wanting more--but also satisfied. As if the food and atmosphere weren't enough, hookah was available, adding another layer to the loungey, laid-back energy. Then... boom--the entertainment started, and my jaw dropped again. There's a stage in the middle of the space, surrounded by seating, and on this night, the show kicked off with a talented acrobat whose energy lit up the room. And just when you think you've seen it all, in glides a stunning woman on stilts, dancing gracefully through the crowd like something out of a dream. Top. Tier. Vibes. It's been days since my visit and I'm still in awe. Native Harlem is more than just a restaurant--it's a full experience. Whether you're a local or visiting the area, this is one place you have to try. JUST GO. GO NOW. You will NOT be disappointed.

Devin T.

Upscale Restaurant In The Heart Of Harlem! I've been to Native In Brooklyn. This Is A BIGGER & BETTER Replica. Entrance is located inside of the Magic Johnson theater on the 2nd Floor. Came on a Saturday night around 10:30pm. No reservation or no tables were available so I had to go to the bar. Walking through the place it was beautiful. Nice decor & dim lights for a grown and sexy effect. They also had a stage for the musical performers & dancers that work there. The bar was crowded so I had to lock eyes with a bartender to place my order for a drink. The drink was in a huge glass unlike most places & it was worth the $17. I got lucky after waiting a while. I was able to get a seat at the bar and I ordered oxtails with rice and pea and veggies. No sooner than I ordered, my meal came out. Literally Maybe 5-10 minutes. No complaints because the food was HOT & I wanted to dig in ASAP. The oxtails were the absolute BOMB! They had a nice spice, very tinder and they put a good amount of gravy so that I could put it on my rice. The rice was great as well. It was Jamaican rice and peas. Not sure what the vegetable was but it was similar to collard greens that weren't cooked long. It tasted good as well. I most definitely will be returning. I hope this place keeps up the great service and continues to provides great quality.